Francis Lawrence American director Date of Birth: 26.03.1970 Country: USA

Biography of Francis Lawrence

Francis Lawrence, an American director, was born on March 26, 1970, in Vienna, Austria. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Los Angeles, California. It was at this time that young Francis got his hands on his first video camera and started filming everything he could. His passion for filmmaking began with capturing basketball games on a summer court, adding his friends' commentary and music to create his first directorial work.

After graduating from high school, Francis Lawrence enrolled in the directing program at Loyola Marymount University. By his second year, he started working as a second assistant cameraman while actively shooting music videos for little-known artists. He collaborated with renowned musicians such as Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado, Janet Jackson, and Jennifer Lopez, as well as major companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Bacardi.

Although he enjoyed working on music videos, Francis Lawrence always dreamt of making big films. In 2005, he directed his first feature film, "Constantine," a supernatural action film. This opportunity allowed him to utilize his experience in music videos and commercials. The film's success propelled him into the world of blockbuster filmmaking.

Over the years, Francis Lawrence gained a reputation as one of the most sought-after music video directors. He worked with renowned artists like Aerosmith, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Will Smith, and Sarah McLachlan. His collaboration with Jennifer Lopez further solidified his status as an icon in the industry.

In 2004, feeling that he had reached his limit in music videos, Francis Lawrence decided to take a leap of faith and venture into feature films. Initially, he was approached to direct "Constantine: City of Demons," but conflicts led to several directors leaving the project. Eventually, Lawrence took over as the director, and the film became a box office success, grossing $230 million.

In 2007, Francis Lawrence continued his success with the adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel, "I Am Legend," starring Will Smith. Despite initial reservations from the studio, Lawrence's direction proved to be a wise choice, and the film was well-received both critically and commercially.

Currently, Francis Lawrence is preparing to direct a prison action film based on his own screenplay. The movie will depict the events of the 1987 prison uprising in Atlanta. While the film's title and production start date remain unknown, Lawrence continues to prove himself as a versatile and talented director in the industry.